We were delighted to see Louise Carter’s story featured in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal, “A shift towards off-farm employment”.
Louise’s journey shows a growing trend in Irish agriculture, where farm families are forced to diversify, learn new skills, and find new ways to earn income alongside traditional farming.
Upskilling to create new opportunities
Louise completed the Artificial Insemination (AI) and Bovine Ultrasound Scanning courses through LOETB. These specialist programmes gave her the practical skills and recognised certification needed to expand her employment options within the agri sector.
A key factor in Louise’s decision to enrol in these part-time courses was the fact that they were fully funded. Removing financial barriers made it possible for her to invest in her future without placing additional pressure on the family.
Since completing her training, Louise has opened new doors for herself professionally. She is now focused on growing her own agri-business and expanding the range of services she can offer to farmers in the years ahead.
Her experience shows how targeted training can strengthen not just individual careers, but the wider rural economy.
LOETB suite of agri-focused courses
The AI and Bovine Ultrasound Scanning programmes form part of a broader suite of agricultural courses available through LOETB. Others include:
- Animal Husbandry and Welfare
- Breeding for a Sustainable Future
- Hoof Trimming
- Freeze Branding
- Sheep Scanning
- Post Partum Management and Disease Prevention
Each course is designed to respond to the evolving needs of the agricultural sector, supporting farmers and agri professionals to remain competitive, compliant and forward-looking.
LOETB supporting farm families
Our Family Farm programme has proven extremely popular with farming families of all sizes. It aims to empower families with the knowledge, resources and support needed to thrive in today’s changing agricultural landscape.
The programme offers:
- Personalised agricultural guidance
- Access to essential information and extension services
- Financial and succession planning advice
- Support for technology adoption
- Farm assessments to evaluate sustainability and biodiversity
- Development of tailored farm plans for individual holdings
By combining practical advice with long-term planning support, the programme helps families make informed decisions about diversification, sustainability and future growth.
Inspiring the next generation
Our work also extends into schools, where we actively promote the wide variety of careers available within agriculture.
Through partnership with Agri Aware, we support initiatives such as Farm Walk and Talk, encouraging students to explore the opportunities within agriculture, food science and sustainability.
This builds on the success of our Transition Year “Intro to Ag” programme and the recent addition of an Agricultural Science Coordinator to support 5th and 6th year students in LOETB schools.
We remain committed to promoting Agricultural Science as a subject and highlighting the many education and career pathways it offers, from further and higher education through to entrepreneurship and innovation in the agri sector.
Louise’s story is just one example of how accessible, practical training can open new pathways. As the sector continues to evolve, we are proud to support learners, farm families and future agri professionals at every stage of their journey.
LOETB Agricultural courses
If you are interested in any of the above mentioned agriculture courses, or would like to discuss them further please contact Gráinne McGrath, by email [email protected]
